Why are islanders so lavishly generous with food and material possessions but so guarded with information? Why do these people, unfailingly polite for the most part, laugh openly when others embarrass themselves? What does a smile mean to an islander? Making Sense of Micronesia is intended for westerners who find themselves in contact with Micronesians—as teachers, social workers, health-care providers, or simply as friends—and are puzzled by their island ways. It is for anyone struggling to make sense of cultural exchanges they don’t quite understand.

Making Sense of Micronesia: The Logic of Pacific Island CultureFrancis X. Hezel, SJHonolulu: University of Hawaii Press. 182 pp.2013
Cultural
Social Issues

The sunken Japanese fleet in Chuuk has become a world famous diving attraction for scuba enthusiasts. The sunken ships, bombed during the US counteroffensive against Japan in 1944, constitute a museum and a valuable asset for the Federated States of Micronesia. This book is an introduction to this museum, as well as to the events that produced the museum and the efforts that have made to preserve it from the depredations of humans and nature.

This textbook on the history of the Federated States of Micronesia describes the origins of the islands and their people. It also shows how people from several different island groups have been altered by outside forces over the years and how, in the end, they have become a single nation today.

Over Seas and Time: A Micronesian History Texbook Written by Tim Smit. Edited by Francis X. Hezel, SJ Pohnpei: FSM Department of Education, 2010. 506 pp. 2010
Education
History

How have Micronesian cultures changed since World War II? This book presents a pointed synthesis of important changes from the Marshall Islands to Palau, ranging from family structure, land and gender roles to the cultural treatment of life events (birth, marriage, death). This book draws on the author's own real-life experiences and anthropological literature.

The New Shape of Old Island Cultures: A Half-Century of Social Change in Micronesiaby Francis X. Hezel, SJHonolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 2001. 198 pp.2001
Family change
History

This coffee-table book is well illustrated with photos and drawings depicting the islands’ journey to modern times. Introductory essays link first-hand accounts by foreigners describing what they saw or did in the islands. The book embraces 400 years of history, from Magellan to US naval administration in early 1950s.

This textbook focuses less on how the modern democratic government operates today than on how it evolved over time. It begins with the traditional authority systems in different island groups and then tracks the changes that impacted up to the present.

The fifty year period between 1690 and 1740 is extremely significant in the history of the Mariana Islands, although it has heretofore received little scholarly attention. Utilizing contemporary letters and reports penned by Jesuit missionaries who served in the islands, this book examines the major events of this period and their effects on traditional Chamorro society.

From Conquest to Colonization: Spain in the Mariana Islands 1690 to 1740By Francis X. Hezel, SJSaipan: CNMI Divison of Historical Preservation, 1989. 78pp.1989
Government
History

A spirited tale of early exchanges between Micronesians and the West–from early Spanish explorers through 19th century whalers, traders, missionaries and beachcombers to the warship captains that planted the first foreign flags on the islands.

The First Taint of Civilization: A History of the Caroline and Marshall Islands in Pre-Colonial Days, 1521-1885By Francis X. Hezel, SJHonolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 1983. 365 pp.1983
Government
History

This coffee-table book is well illustrated with photos and drawings depicting the islands’ journey to modern times. Introductory essays link first-hand accounts by foreigners describing what they saw or did in the islands. The book embraces 400 years of history, from Magellan to US naval administration in early 1950s.

This textbook on the history of the Federated States of Micronesia describes the origins of the islands and their people. It also shows how people from several different island groups have been altered by outside forces over the years and how, in the end, they have become a single nation today.

Over Seas and Time: A Micronesian History Texbook Written by Tim Smit. Edited by Francis X. Hezel, SJ Pohnpei: FSM Department of Education, 2010. 506 pp. 2010
Education
History

This textbook focuses less on how the modern democratic government operates today than on how it evolved over time. It begins with the traditional authority systems in different island groups and then tracks the changes that impacted up to the present.

A simply told story of the founding and growth of the Catholic Church in each island group, with lists of missionary personnel, local clergy, and parish churches appended. This book was prepared for the centennial of the church in each island group.

The Catholic Church in Micronesia: Historical Essays on the Catholic Church in the Caroline-Marshall IslandsBy Francis X. Hezel, SJMicronesian Seminar: 2003.2003
History
Religion

How have Micronesian cultures changed since World War II? This book presents a pointed synthesis of important changes from the Marshall Islands to Palau, ranging from family structure, land and gender roles to the cultural treatment of life events (birth, marriage, death). This book draws on the author's own real-life experiences and anthropological literature.

The New Shape of Old Island Cultures: A Half-Century of Social Change in Micronesiaby Francis X. Hezel, SJHonolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 2001. 198 pp.2001
Family change
History

The sunken Japanese fleet in Chuuk has become a world famous diving attraction for scuba enthusiasts. The sunken ships, bombed during the US counteroffensive against Japan in 1944, constitute a museum and a valuable asset for the Federated States of Micronesia. This book is an introduction to this museum, as well as to the events that produced the museum and the efforts that have made to preserve it from the depredations of humans and nature.

The volume, covering the period from 1886 to 1986, presents the drama of social change in Micronesia under four flags: Spanish, German, Japanese and American. The book chronicles the attempt of each administration to bring the “blessings of civilization” and the varied responses of island people.

Strangers in Their Own Land: A Century of Colonial Rule in the Caroline and Marshall IslandsBy Francis X. Hezel, SJHonolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 1995. 467 pp.1995
History

The fifty year period between 1690 and 1740 is extremely significant in the history of the Mariana Islands, although it has heretofore received little scholarly attention. Utilizing contemporary letters and reports penned by Jesuit missionaries who served in the islands, this book examines the major events of this period and their effects on traditional Chamorro society.

From Conquest to Colonization: Spain in the Mariana Islands 1690 to 1740By Francis X. Hezel, SJSaipan: CNMI Divison of Historical Preservation, 1989. 78pp.1989
Government
History

A spirited tale of early exchanges between Micronesians and the West–from early Spanish explorers through 19th century whalers, traders, missionaries and beachcombers to the warship captains that planted the first foreign flags on the islands.

The First Taint of Civilization: A History of the Caroline and Marshall Islands in Pre-Colonial Days, 1521-1885By Francis X. Hezel, SJHonolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 1983. 365 pp.1983
Government
History

This coffee-table book is well illustrated with photos and drawings depicting the islands’ journey to modern times. Introductory essays link first-hand accounts by foreigners describing what they saw or did in the islands. The book embraces 400 years of history, from Magellan to US naval administration in early 1950s.

A list of all recorded ship visits to the islands prior to early foreign rule, with information on the ship, its master and mission, and what of note happened during the visit. The book has an extensive bibliography and index.

What was island religion like before the coming of Christianity? Drawing on all the sources available, this book reconstructs the old religions of re-modern Micronesia. It offers a chapter on the religious beliefs and practices of each part of Micronesia, emphasizing what is unique to that particular island group and what is shared with other places. The summary provides an overview of elements of religion that are found throughout the entire region.

A simply told story of the founding and growth of the Catholic Church in each island group, with lists of missionary personnel, local clergy, and parish churches appended. This book was prepared for the centennial of the church in each island group.

The Catholic Church in Micronesia: Historical Essays on the Catholic Church in the Caroline-Marshall IslandsBy Francis X. Hezel, SJMicronesian Seminar: 2003.2003
History
Religion

Why are islanders so lavishly generous with food and material possessions but so guarded with information? Why do these people, unfailingly polite for the most part, laugh openly when others embarrass themselves? What does a smile mean to an islander? Making Sense of Micronesia is intended for westerners who find themselves in contact with Micronesians—as teachers, social workers, health-care providers, or simply as friends—and are puzzled by their island ways. It is for anyone struggling to make sense of cultural exchanges they don’t quite understand.

Making Sense of Micronesia: The Logic of Pacific Island CultureFrancis X. Hezel, SJHonolulu: University of Hawaii Press. 182 pp.2013
Cultural
Social Issues